NACCHO is pleased to announce our participation in a national partnership to reduce HIV and other STDs among adolescents through school-based prevention programs. We will post blogs and send out newsletters periodically to provide updates regarding partnership activities and to share resources that can help you support adolescents in your community. This first post is designed to introduce you to the partnership.

About the Initiative

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health’s (DASH) new initiative, Expanding Partnerships and Disseminating HIV Prevention Materials to Reduce HIV and other STDs among Adolescents through National Non-Governmental Organizations (PS16-1603), was created to increase education of key stakeholders on CDC-developed approaches to school-based programs for creating healthier adolescents (10-19 years old) by reducing HIV and STD infection. The initiative, a collaborative effort between Advocates for Youth (Advocates), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), and the School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA), exemplifies DASH’s commitment to expanding partnerships and recognizes the critical role effective partnerships play in the success of implementing high-quality health education and services and fostering safe and supportive environments.

As a partnership we are excited to present at various conferences, offer workshops, hold webinars, and disseminate insightful resources and information pertaining to health education, health services, and safe and supportive environments. Below you’ll find more information about each partner and our upcoming conferences presentations. We look forward to keeping you updated on our partnership’s initiatives and activities!

About our Core Partners

Advocates for Youth envisions a society that views sexuality as normal and healthy and treats young people as a valuable resource. Advocates for Youth champions efforts that help young people (ages 14-25) make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates believes it can best serve the field by boldly advocating for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health.

School-Based Health Alliance (The Alliance) works to improve the health of children and youth by advancing and advocating for school-based health care. We provide the field with high-quality resources, training, and motivation and inspiration to excel in their work. School-based health care practitioners, with their distinct expertise, knowledge, and experiences, play a vital role at the intersection of education and health care. By empowering them, The Alliance is redefining health for kids and teens.

The National Coalition of STD Director’s (NCSD) is a partnership of public health professionals dedicated to promoting sexual health through the prevention of STDs. NCSD provides dynamic leadership that strengthens and builds the capacity of STD Programs by advocating for effective policies, strategies, and sufficient resources by increasing awareness of the medical and social impacts of STDs.

National Sexual Health ConferenceWorkshop: Scaling Up: the Role of Partnership in Implementing School-Based Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Health, a presentation by Brittany McBride, MPH (Advocates for Youth), Lillian Pinto (NCSD), and Samantha Ritter, MPH (NACCHO) on Friday, July 7th 12:55-2:05PM. Click here to view the NCSD/CAI/CDC-developed resource that will be shared at the conference.

NACCHO Annual ConferenceWorkshop: The Role of Local health Departments in preventing HIV/STDs among Adolescents through School-Based Approaches, on Tuesday, July 11th 10:30AM-12:00PM.

We look forward to updating you on our partnership’s initiatives. Stay tuned for more information and contact Samantha Ritter, Senior Program Analyst, Adolescent Sexual Health with any questions.

About Kim Rodgers

Kim Rodgers serves as a Communications Specialist at NACCHO. Her work includes promoting local health departments' best practices, as well as partner tools and resources, in infectious disease and preparedness through NACCHO's communications channels, storytelling, and outreach to various audiences.

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